# catalog

/ˈkætəɫɔɡ/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/catalog
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. a list of items

noun · CEFR B1 · American English

a book or digital list that shows all the things you can buy or find in a place.

For teachers: a complete list of items, typically one in alphabetical or other systematic order.

- I spent the evening looking through the clothing catalog to find a new winter coat.
- The library's digital catalog allows students to search for rare manuscripts across several different campus locations simultaneously.

Usage: In American English, 'catalog' is the standard spelling, whereas 'catalogue' is preferred in British English.

### 2. a series of events

noun · CEFR C1 · American English · Formal

a long list of bad things that have happened.

For teachers: a series of typically unpleasant events or occurrences.

- The report described a catalog of errors that led to the accident.
- The investigation revealed a catalog of systemic failures within the department that had gone unaddressed for over a decade.

### 3. to make a list

verb · CEFR B2 · American English

to record things in a list so they are easy to find later.

For teachers: to classify and record items in a systematic list.

- It took the museum months to catalog all the new artifacts.
- The researchers spent the summer cataloging every plant species found in the valley to create a comprehensive database for future study.

Usage: This verb is transitive and requires a direct object.

## Examples

- I looked through the clothing catalog to find a new jacket.
- The university library maintains an online catalog where students can search for academic journals and physical books.
- The record label's extensive catalog includes rare recordings from the early jazz era that have recently been remastered for digital release.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.